Why I Will Vote Trump - A Curmudgeonly Decision

I have finally reached a decision.  It has not come easy, and it's not a decision that makes me particularly proud.  I have discovered that I cannot even follow Ted Cruz's advice to vote my conscience.  I have to vote despite my conscience.

First of all, let me tell you some assumptions I make in reaching this decision.

• I feel that a vote for a third party candidate is useless.  Either Trump or Clinton will win.  Also, there is only one such candidate I might consider, and he is not on the Missouri ballot.  
• I feel that not voting for a Presidential candidate will just be a possible contribution to a Clinton victory.  I considered this option for a long time, but in recent days, the polls in Missouri indicate that it is not a sure thing that Clinton will lose the electoral votes here.
• There are several characteristics that are true of both candidates.  They are both what I consider very immoral people.  They cancel each other out.  Both of them have foundations that appear to be shell games.  They cancel each other out.  Both of them have experienced illegal leaks intended to hurt their campaigns.  They cancel each other out.

 That leaves the following main reasons that I have decided to vote Trump.

1.  I will never ever vote for Hillary Clinton.  I will from here on refer to her as Unconstitutional Hillary.  Her actions and words indicate to me that she not only is willing to ignore the Constitution, but that she does not even like the Constitution.  She has even said a few things already that I would describe as saying that she was intending to violate it.  I can only picture her as putting one hand up to take the Oath of Office, having her other hand behind her back with her fingers crossed.  Her proposed policies could pretty accurately be described as diametrically opposed to mine.  She not only wants to make the Federal government bigger, she wants to make it huge.  America is already in incredibly deep debt.  We cannot afford to bring out the heavy equipment to dig us deeper.  Our children and grandchildren should have better.  Unconstitutional Hillary would not even consider the Constitution when she would nominate someone for the Supreme Court.  She would look for a Justice who simply agrees to make decisions in accordance with her agenda.  My idea of a great Justice was Scalia.

2.  The majority of the mainstream media has not only been attempting to destroy Trump, but they have also been painting Unconstitutional Hillary as having the qualifications of a saint.  Voting Trump would provide me with the satisfaction of sticking it to the media for their abominable behavior.  I can tolerate the media pointing out Trump's flaws, but they have to be blind to not see Unconstitutional Hillary's flaws.  They are simply propping her up, and she is so flawed, she needs plenty of propping.

3.  The above two factors were still not enough to get me to vote Trump, but I heard a comment recently.  It was said that Trump is impeachable.  That by itself is not surprising, but it becomes significant when you compare it to Unconstitutional Hillary.  She is NOT impeachable.  Just like President Obama was not impeachable.  It was always argued that we could never impeach the first black President.  Plus, the media would never tolerate it.  Likewise, Unconstitutional Hillary is not impeachable.  It would be argued that we could never impeach the first woman President.  And again, the media would never tolerate it.
     On the other hand, Trump is definitely impeachable.  The Democrats would definitely love to see his demise.  The media would love to see Trump impeached.  And even some Republicans would go along with the idea. 
     Therefore, I think I can live with giving Trump his shot.  He may surprise me and become a wonderful President.  However, if he does something outrageous or unconstitutional, it is quite likely that he could be removed.  That would leave Pence to take over.  I can easily live with a Pence Presidency. 

So I am going to vote Trump.  I hope you noticed that I did not say that I would vote FOR Trump.  I said I would vote Trump.  There is no way that I can actively go out and try to talk people into voting for Trump, trying to convince you that he is a wonderful candidate.  He is not.  I do at least agree with him on some issues.  On the other hand, I would be glad to go into all kinds of reasons why you should not vote for Unconstitutional Hillary.

I know the die-hard Trump supporters will not be thrilled to hear me talk about a Trump impeachment, but at this point, they should be glad that I intend to place my mark next to The Donald's name.  And I might say, they should probably not give me a hard time about this decision.  It wouldn't take too much to take away that vote in order to spite any obnoxious Trumpsters.

As for Unconstitutional Hillary supporters go, I have already had them attempt to encourage me to not vote for a Presidential candidate.  I know I don't look very smart, but I'm smart enough to know that they are trying to manipulate me in order to have their desired Clinton Presidency.

One final thought:  I don't want Bill Clinton to return to the scene of his crime either.

Beer Shelf

The local fairgrounds have gone to great extents to accommodate us men.  Now when a guy is eliminating his used beer, he has a place to rest his present beer on the above shelf.  Why don't more public men's urinals have this wonderful feature?

One Thought on the Confederacy

  Amidst all the discussion about the status of the Confederate Flag, I would point out one factor which might contribute to the angst which still exists in the South, and it has nothing to do with race.  I spent part of my career in the South....Tennessee to be exact.  While there, I had the opportunity to visit the site of the Battle of Shiloh.  In fact, on one occasion, I took a class of mine to experience that site.  At the time, I was rather clueless as to why some were not very thrilled that I wanted to take my students there. After my visit, I understood why.
    At this location, one cannot possibly miss the stunning beauty of the cemetery there for the Union soldiers.  Row after row of white crosses marked the location of soldiers who gave their life during this battle in the fight for their country.  The cemetery is maintained beautifully.....grass mowed.....weeds whacked....with a beautiful fence surrounding it all.  It is an impressive thing to see.
    Then at a few locations in that park, if you choose to follow the map provided, you can find where the bodies of the Confederate soldiers were laid to rest, but you have to make much more effort to view it.  You have to walk down a path for quite a distance, and when you get there, you see a sign in a rather forested area that says the Southern soldiers who died were quickly place in a mass grave made by simply digging a huge hole and dumping in the bodies.  No individual soldiers are recognized.  The stark difference between how the Union soldiers and the Confederate soldiers were buried is very evident.  I suspect other battlegrounds of the Civil War would be similar to this one at Shiloh.
    Many folks in the South look at such a site and consider it a tribute to the North.  They also see it as a slap in the face to the South.  I would submit to you that one of the reasons for the hard feelings that still linger in the South to this day might in part stem from the lack of respect which was shown to the South in the aftermath of the war.  Evidence of this attitude still exists at sites like Shiloh which serves as a reminder still today.  Those soldiers fought just as bravely during that battle, but their family members have only a mass grave to visit.
    I understand that the Confederate flag has been used as a symbol for some racist whites over the years.  However, one must also consider the feelings of a Southern culture that has wanted to hold on to their self respect and may want to continue to do that through the use of the Stars and Bars.

What Will Become of Ancestry.com?

    I cannot help but wonder what will happen to the realm of family research.  I am associated with a museum which also houses archives which can be used to research one's family roots.  A typical person comes to use our facilities looking for information about their grandfather or great grandmother, looking for documents concerning their birth, their death, their burial, their marriage, and the like.
    The use of websites such as Ancestry.com also provide services which accomplish such purposes, using such sources as census records, military records, immigration records, etc.  Such sites have to preserve the privacy of those who are now living, and because of that, the most recent census available to the public is the 1940 census.  That census was made when the American culture was based on the traditional family.  But the traditional family is dissolving before our very eyes.
    What will happen to family research in the future when people are studying their ancestors in an environment when the past may include much different family structures.  It is hard enough now to research something as simple as an adoption.  Can you imagine the complexity of researching families when it may be almost impossible to determine who the biological father may be?  Or imagine researching a family where the marriage is one consisting of two males......or two females?   And one could only throw up their hands in frustration when thinking about how bigamy might throw additional challenges into the mix.
    Will this even be called family research any more.  It might have to be called something like "Relationship Research".  What would become of terms such as mother, father, aunt, uncle, cousin, etc.?  What a mess!  I'm kind of glad I won't be around to see it.
    Ancestry.com may just display a surrender flag.

More Steam Coming from My Ears

    My grandchildren call me Grumps.  Today, that term is very descriptive of my mood.  I find it necessary to vent so that my high blood pressure does not become an even bigger health concern than it already is.
    The Supreme Court has just released their decision on the Obamacare issue.  Needless to say, I am angered by their decision.  As I see it, the Supreme Court has made their decision, not based on the Constitution and the rule of law, but based on the impact their decision could have politically.  They have for all practical purposes decided to rewrite a law passed by Congress.  That is not their job.  The law should not have passed in the first place, but that is fodder for a whole different post.  However, I can only see this development as a broadside attack on the Constitution itself.
    The separation of powers has taken another direct hit.  The Constitution has already been under fire from the Executive Branch as President Obama has already done plenty of his own rewriting of legislation with his executive orders.  Now the Supreme Court has let loose with their barrage, joining the fray with their own version of rewriting legislation.  Congress might as well pack their bags and go on home.  At least that would save us some tax money if they did.  But their main task of writing legislation has been co-opted by the other two branches of the government. 
    Then there's this whole feeding frenzy that is going on with the Confederate flag.  I think it is absolutely reprehensible that some people have used a tragic event to pursue a different kind of assault on the American culture.  American history is under attack.  People are trying to rewrite history just like the Supreme Court decided they had to rewrite a piece of legislation. 
    Yes, the Civil War was about slavery, an abomination of its own accord.  But the Civil War was not just about slavery.  It was also about Northern interests being in control of the federal government and inflicting their desires on the South.  The South felt powerless to do anything about it.  Their economy was suffering as a result. The issue of what rights the states had was at stake.  Well, folks, that debate has once again reemerged.  The federal government is more than ever inflicting its desires on states that are not happy about what is being done to them.
    I fear that we are going down a road which may end up in another civil war.....one that is not a geographical one, but an idealogical one.  It could get real ugly.  And I don't want my grandchildren to experience such a thing.
    It is really spooky out there.  Socialism is no longer a dirty word in America.  We have one candidate for President who blatantly admits to being a socialist.  Meanwhile, the Democrat Party has developed into a  combination of crony socialist/fascist ideologues.  The establishment Republicans have their own brand of crony capitalists.  All of them have the main mission of remaining part of the power structure that is Washington, D.C.  What is needed the most to remedy the problem is term limits, but none of those in power in Washington are remotely interested in that. 
    I have not given up my hope for America.  Contrary to what is portrayed intentionally by the media, America is the best country in the world.  That is why people are coming here in droves.  However, some way must be found to break down the power structure that exists in our nation's capitol and restore the relevance of the Constitution.
    An effort is being made to portray anything that is old, traditional, historical, etc. is harmful to our country and must be ignored or eliminated.  The people in our past.....the documents of our past.....the wars of our past.....the culture of our past......are all on the road to intention extinction.  We must not let this happen. 

    Need I say that while all this has been happening that the Congress has granted even more power to President Obama with the trade legislation?  Lord, have mercy.

Follow the Money

    In my opinion, I do not think we would be having the big discussion in America about gay marriage if it were not for our tax code and the benefits being offered by our government.  It is all about the money. If it was not about the money, I think the gay marriage debate would only be taking place in our churches and not in the Supreme Court.
    I also think there is a rather simple solution.  Change the tax code.  I happen to think that the best way to solve the problem is to eliminate the income tax and change over to a consumption tax.  If people do not want to pay high taxes, they can choose to limit spending.  I think the Fair Tax is a good plan for getting this done.  However, if we have to stay with the income tax, I think a flat tax with absolutely no tax breaks for any person or business or organization would also do the trick.
    The income tax with all its pages of regulations is just a way for politicians from both sides of the aisle to have control and to get votes.  Because of that, it will be a monumental task to get the Federal government to even talk about changing the tax code.
    Term limits would get us closer to making this happen.

A Story I Loved to Tell

    For several months now, I have been spending considerable time in the past.....sort of.  I have been writing a book.  It is a work of historical fiction which tells a series of stories which take place over a time period of ten years (1839-1849).  The characters are all real people, most of which were part of the immigration of German Lutherans to Missouri in which my great great grandfather's family took part.  The setting is mainly in Perry County, Missouri and St. Louis. The book chronicles many events which were significant in the early years of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod.
    One of the reasons I decided to write the book is that some of the conditions which caused my ancestors to leave Germany are now occurring in America 175 years later.  If this book ever gets published, I would hope that it would serve to remind people how courageous and faithful these people were.  Their example is certainly worthy for us to follow, and the time has come for people to once again stand firm in their faith without compromising.
    I have found that as I researched the people involved in this story, I got to know these people even though none of them were alive during my lifetime.  I have also learned so much about the historical context of this time period.  It gives me a greater appreciation of my own family's history, and even if the book is never published, it has been a blessing to me to have gone through the process of writing it.